Challenge VII Begins: 'Fred, An Enlightened Despot, and His Mutts'

As per tradition, I'll kick-off of the Painting Challenge with the first submission. 

Here, I give you a somewhat roundabout entry on this year's theme on companionship.

Frederick der Grosse. Der Alte Fritz. Frederick the Great. This same man who won the Seven Years War, unified Prussia, rubbed shoulders with Voltaire and introduced potatoes to Germany was also a great lover of dogs - in particular his Italian Greyhounds. The Prussian Kaiser and his dogs were inseparable, with at least one being recorded accompanying him on campaign (Biche, who was with him during the War of the Austrian Succession). Frederick owned many dogs during his lifetime, most of these roamed free in his palace of Sanssouci, forever at his feet, always indulged.

Frederick's wish upon his death was to be buried alongside his dogs at Sanssouci, but thinking this beneath the dignity of the old warrior, his nephew and successor Frederick Wilhelm II, had him buried with his father (whom, ironically, he detested) in the Potsdam Garrison Church. 

Nonetheless, 205 years later, after Germany was once again re-united, Frederick the Great was finally re-interred according to his wishes, in a small ceremony after nightfall, placed next to his beloved greyhounds at Sanssouci.

Frederick the Great's grave (with the traditional potato offerings) next to his hounds.

On to the figures. Here we see Frederick II playing a minuet on his flute with his faithful Italian Greyhounds at his feet.  

This is a nice 28mm vignette offered by Eureka Miniatures, which I think is based on the painting by Adolf von Menzel. 

Well there you have it. I think I'll give myself 10 points for this entry. 5 for Fred and another 5 for his dogs and music stand. The first entry out of the gate and the first points on the roster!  

I'll be relishing the next few hours as it's the only time where I'll have the lead... 

Okay, it's off to bed for me. I'll be updating with fresh entries in about 12 hours.